Police Reveal Roles of Suspects Behind Kidnap of Adelabu’s Sister and Twin Sons
The Oyo State Police Command has revealed the identities and roles of key members of the kidnapping gang responsible for the abduction of the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons.
Mrs. Adegoke and her 12-year-old twins, Peter and Paul, were kidnapped on the morning of June 3, 2026, while she was driving them to school in Ibadan. The victims were rescued four days later during a coordinated police operation in the Ayegun area of Oluyole Local Government Area.
Addressing journalists in Ibadan on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed that four suspects had been arrested in connection with the crime, while two members of the gang were killed during a gun battle with security operatives.
According to the police, the breakthrough came with the arrest of Wale Abolalewa, popularly known as “Oloro,” who had already been on the command’s watchlist for suspected involvement in kidnapping activities. Investigators said his arrest provided crucial intelligence that helped expose the structure of the criminal network.
Further investigations led to the arrest of another suspect, Dare Oyedele, also known as “Solution,” who was identified as a major operational member of the gang. Information obtained from both men reportedly helped police track down the hideout where the victims were being held.
The command also identified a suspect known as Kelechi, who allegedly travelled from Lagos State to participate in the operation. Police said he acted as a lookout at the gang’s hideout in Ayegun but was killed during the rescue operation after engaging officers in a shootout.
Another unidentified gang member was also killed during the exchange of gunfire with police operatives.
In addition to the principal suspects, police arrested two alleged collaborators, Semiu Ishola, 39, and Adeyemi Ayobami, 35. Investigators said the pair helped secure and arrange the property used to keep the victims during their captivity.
The police further revealed that the kidnappers attempted to recruit an insider connected to the victims’ family before carrying out the abduction. The individual, identified simply as Segun, was reportedly a staff member attached to the household.
According to investigators, the gang used the insider recruitment attempt as part of a surveillance strategy to gather information about the family’s daily routines, movements, vehicles and the schools attended by the children.
The command said investigations were still ongoing and that efforts were being intensified to arrest other members of the syndicate who remain on the run.
Several items were recovered during the operation, including three pump-action rifles, 14 live cartridges, an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla allegedly used during the abduction, face masks, charms, a battle axe, a hammer and substances suspected to be hard drugs.
Police authorities stated that some fleeing gang members may have escaped with gunshot wounds sustained during the operation and appealed to members of the public to provide useful information that could assist in their arrest.
